Urinetown: The Musical – Melbourne review by Alex First

A 20-year drought has led to the blatant exploitation of the underprivileged. Read more

DanceX Part III, at Arts Centre Melbourne: reviewed by Alex First

A proud, potent and poignant piece of artistry that combines dance, song, monologue and athleticism with projections is the highlight of DanceX Part III. Read more

Girls & Boys: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First

A sharp and witty British woman unpicks her life before our eyes and what a life it has been. Read more

DanceX Part II: reviewed by Alex First

The Australian premiere of Johan Inger’s comic, romantic dance theatre piece I New Then, set to songs by Van Morrison, is superb. Read more

Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett, in the Magic Mirror Spiegeltent: a review by Alex First

Risqué and ribald, the R-rated treat that is Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett features an astounding cavalcade of talent. Read more

Antisemitism and racism capture attention in Armageddon Time

A new, sensitive, coming-of-age story highlighting the African American and Jewish experience is a vehicle to propel two bright young actors onto the world stage. They talk with J-Wire. Read more

Armageddon Time: a movie review by Alex First

It is 1980 in Queens, New York City. Read more

Alex First reviews Romeo and Juliet performed by the Australian Ballet

 After a 19-year hiatus, the emotion-charged, highly acclaimed production of Romeo and Juliet by choreographer John Cranko takes centre stage at Arts Centre Melbourne. Read more

The Meeting: a theatre review by Alex First

A secret imaginary rendezvous between two towering but polar opposite African American leaders plays out in The Meeting. Read more

Ghost Stories: a theatre review by Alex First

An engaging professor of parapsychology talks us through the history of ghost stories – how they came to be and how they have evolved over time. Read more

Cyrano: a theatre review by Alex First

A massive triumph. The MTC production of the season. A talented cast, headlined by writer and star Virginia Gay proves that the pen is mightier than the sword. Read more

Instruments of Dance (The Australian Ballet): reviewed by Alex First

The second line of Peter Allen’s iconic anthem, I Still Call Australia Home, contains the words “From New York to Rio and old London Town”. Read more

Come From Away: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First

I have seen it three times now, and on each occasion, I exit the theatre in awe of what I have just witnessed. Read more

Shake Rattle ‘N’ Roll: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First

A cavalcade of song, movement and colour, Shake Rattle ‘N’ Roll breathes new life into the sounds of the ‘50s and ’60s with entertainment aplenty. Read more

Lucrezia Borgia: an opera review by Alex First

Soaring vocals and a bravura performance by soprano Helena Dix are among the many highlights of Lucrezia Borgia, in which subterfuge and skulduggery abound. Read more

Anna K: A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First

By their very nature, human relationships are often messy. The vast majority don’t hit the headlines, but public figures are considered “fair game”. Read more

Hairspray: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First

The spark burns brightly in Hairspray, a delightfully breezy musical with discrimination as its theme. Read more

Laurinda: A Melbourne Theatre Company production reviewed by Alex First

Bullying and racism are not acceptable in any environment and yet the schoolyard can be a hotbed of discontent. Read more

I am Emilia Bassano: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First

What’s the truism? Behind every great man, there is a woman. Read more

The Marvellous Life of Carlo Gatti: A theatre review by Alex First

A pianist from an ice cream parlour (Connor Dariol), a psychologist (Shamita Siva) and a physicist (El Kiley) get together. Read more

The Importance of Being Jewish: a theatre review by Alex First

A romp, The Importance of Being Jewish showcases playwright Rob Selzer’s insight and wit. Read more

Antarctica: An IMAX movie reviewed by Alex First

While it is the coldest place on Earth, where temperatures plunge to as low as 90 degrees below zero and the water temperature is freezing, Antarctica is a surfeit of riches. Read more

Unsolicited Male: a Melbourne theatre review by Alex First

A boss oversteps the mark and the consequences are devastating in Ron Elisha’s incendiary Unsolicited Male. Read more

Where the Crawdads Sing: a movie review by Alex First

A young woman whose life has been a series of letdowns faces the possibility of the death penalty after being charged with the first-degree murder of her former lover. Read more

Caligula (Burning House) at Theatre Works, as reviewed by Alex First

There will be blood. That expression well sums up the tyrannical reign of Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, better known as Caligula. He was the third Roman emperor, who ruled from the years 37 to 41, before he was assassinated. Read more

9 to 5: The Musical – State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne, as reviewed by Alex First

9 to 5 The Musical is energetic, sassy and colourful. Read more

Secrets: a theatre review from Melbourne by Alex First

Just how good are you at keeping secrets? Read more

Compartment No 6: a movie review by Alex First

We’re in Moscow in 1996. Read more

Sundown: a movie review by Alex First

An intelligent, slow-burn movie in which little appears to happen for a long time and much remains unsaid, thereafter the shocks come. Read more

Thor: Love and Thunder – a movie review by Alex First

Liquorice of all sorts, Thor: Love and Thunder has some fun moments, but lacks substance. Read more

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